Soothing.

This randomized trial sought to determine if topical steroids reduced dermatitis in patients receiving definitive or adjuvant radiation with concurrent cisplatin for head and neck cancer. 211 patients were randomized to receive placebo (white vaseline) or topical steroid (difluprednate) when they developed grade 1 dermatitis or at a cumulative dose of 30 Gy. The use of other moisturizers, lotions, and steroid cream was not permitted in either arm. There was no difference in the primary outcome of grade 2+ dermatitis with steroid cream (73% vs 80%), however the rate of grade 3+ dermatitis was significantly lower (14% vs 26%). Based on these results, the authors suggested using topical steroids when patients develop grade 2-3 dermatitis to help limit severity. | Yokota, Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2021